Bermuda wrote another chapter in its proud maritime history when was welcomed back from her maiden voyage in fine style at the weekend.

Albuoy's Point was awash with celebrations on Saturday, as crowds thronged to see the three-mast schooner and her 32-strong crew home safe after an eventful five-day voyage from America.

Dignitaries hailed the "special day" ? and were quick to proclaim the benefits of the Island's first sail training vessel.

Governor Sir John Vereker said would offer future generations of young Bermudians the chance to learn about the ocean in the best possible way, "first hand, on the open sea".

While Premier Alex Scott said those who board the schooner would learn discipline, camaraderie, co-operation and teamwork ? helping to "transport the spirit of Bermuda both home and abroad".

He added: "There will be no better classroom than the ." The Premier congratulated the Sloop Foundation, who drove the $5 million-plus project, and stated: "They have invested not only in a sloop, but in our people and our country and our future. Job well done."will offer school and extracurricular programmes targeting 14- to 20 year-olds using nautical training to develop character while at the same time promoting team-building and learning.

Malcolm Kirkland, executive director of the Sloop Foundation, said that amid concerns about graduation rates and alienated young men there was a real educational need for the first training vessel. He said that one training programme, set to start in October, would allow 16 to 18 year old males who failed to get high a school diploma train and sail on the schooner while working on their GEDs.

A Middle School learning programme ? five, one-day voyages ? and an in-depth, four-year skiller programme for students of high school age upwards featuring overseas voyages have also both been drawn up, with the foundation aiming to make available for Bermuda's 4,800 youngsters aged 14 to 20.

Education Minister Neletha Butterfield said on Saturday: "This is a wonderful experience for our young people."